Jessica Worland, 28, of Chatsworth reviews the expanded Disney California Adventure.
ABOUT ME
When did you first visit a Disney park?
There is a picture of my mom and I with Winnie the Pooh when I was about 1 year old. So it's been a life-long love affair. I have had an annual pass since 2000, though.
How often do you visit Disney parks?
About 9-10 times a year.
Favorite Disney park?
Disneyland, I'm a traditionalist. Epcot is a close second though.
Favorite Disney character?
Stitch.
How do you normally visit?
I visit mostly with my husband, Matt, or friends. We generally do day trips, but Matt and I have been known to do date nights for just fireworks and ice cream.
MY VISIT
When did you first visit California Adventure? What was your overall first impression?
I visited California Adventure the summer it first opened in 2001. Overall, it was fun, but it didn't have any "Disney magic" to it, and it was little cheesy. It came off as one giant California postcard. It was known among passholders as the "three-hour park." You went over when Disneyland was crowded and you wanted a break, did 2-3 rides, and then went back to Disneyland. It wasn't worth a whole day.
Did you miss anything from the old California Adventure?
Not particularly. The Maliboomer was fun. They did a good job of keeping what worked and changing what didn't.
When did you check out the California Adventure expansion?
We were there Monday for the Passholder Preview, in which my friend Belen was lucky enough to win spots.
Were you more or less impressed on this visit than when you first visited the park?
Impressed is an understatement, I was floored. I don't remember the moment I walked into California Adventure in 2001, but I will always remember walking on to Buena Vista Street for the first time. That Disney magic is there now. And when you walk into Radiator Springs, you feel like you walked into the "Cars" movie. I'm nearly 30 and my jaw dropped, I can't imagine being a kid and seeing it brought to life like that.
What did you think of the rides?
GREAT! I expected Radiator Springs Racers to be phenomenal and it was. The start of the ride is just gorgeous, and then when the story begins it becomes fun, while the race at the end is exciting and provides a thrill. It's a rare ride that has something for everyone.
I was genuinely surprised by Mater's Junkyard Jamboree though. I really had mentally written it off as a kid's ride, but it was totally fun! We all laughed hysterically at it, especially when you let go and allow yourself to slide around a bit. I can't wait to go on again.
What did you think of the atmosphere?
I think what makes Disneyland so magical is that it transports you out of today and puts you somewhere entirely different, whether that be in time or location. California Adventure was missing that until now. You walk onto Buena Vista Street and you are in the 1920-'30s. I loved the music and the feeling you got from just looking around you; there was a simple serenity to it. The same is true for Cars Land, there is no hint that you are in Anaheim or even California Adventure, once you are in that land you feel like you have been completely transported into the movie.
Disney is all about the details and that has never been truer than in the new expansion. I took about 200 photos in the five hours I was there, everything from Traffic Cone light fixtures to stanchions topped with radiator caps. Everywhere you look in Cars Land there is a detail that just puts you more and more into the movie.
I know everyone, myself included, is excited about Cars Land, but I really fell in love with Buena Vista Street. It might be my favorite location in both parks now. I hope people take some time to look at the buildings and windows to just appreciate how much work and design went into them. Take Clarabelle's Ice Cream for example, there is a stained-glass window of an ice cream sundae and ice cream cones that is simply gorgeous.
What did you think of the shops?
The Cars Land shops feel a little more geared towards family/kids shopping, but that is appropriate to that land. I liked how the stores reflected their character owners. Again, it comes back to those details, like in Sarge's Surplus Hut the cash registers are gas cans and Ramone's House of Body Art had a more edgy vibe.
The stores on Buena Vista have a more adult shopping experience feel to them. There's more subtlety in the details and the music is a pleasant mix of jazz and early swing. I loved the more vintage merchandise, like the necklace I bought where the charm looks like an old typewriter key. There was also a lot of classic Disney references and style.
What did you think of the food?
I have yet to talk to a single person that has been to a preview that didn't get a cone cup from the Cozy Cone Motel! They were too cool to not buy! I didn't get to try a whole lot of the food in Cars Land. I'm looking forward to trying more of it though, I generally try to eat something new each visit to Disney.
We did try the pretzel bites which were good and an easy snack to share, there was a bit too much salt for my taste though. I really want to try the Pomegranate Limeade (which you can also make an "adult beverage" should you choose) and the Chili Cone Queso. I'm making it a point to get those next week when I'm there again.
We also stopped at Clarabelle's Ice Cream for a hand-dipped ice cream bar. It was just delicious and fairly priced (by Disney standards). And fair warning to those ordering toppings – the "Blue Raspberry Bursts" are Pop-Rocks, it was hilarious to watch my husband discover that one.
LOOKING AHEAD
What advice and tips can you offer for someone visiting California Adventure?
Don't rush and be flexible. It's tempting to run to rides and fit as much in as possible, especially if you are visiting for a day and not a passholder. Take the time to look around, listen to the background music and read signs. Disney is about magic, but it's easy to miss if you are too focused on getting it all done. And as great as the Fastpass system is, the stand-by lines (particularly for Racers) are really cool sometimes.
What needs the most improvement?
Luigi's Flying Tires offered almost no shade for the second half of the queue, for that reason alone I would skip that ride during the day. It also was the line that dragged the most. The other lines at least felt like they were moving quickly and kept you entertained. We waited about 40 minutes for the ride and it honestly wasn't worth it. I would say a 20-minute wait would be my max for that ride.
In addition, the new Starbucks felt disorganized and slow moving. While they are just getting started and learning the routine, I would be concerned about wait times once they are dealing with full crowds. Taking too long with people's coffee is a risky game.
Do you expect that you will visit California Adventure more often now? Why or why not?
I think so, and I will no longer view California Adventure as a place to escape a Fantasyland filled with kids that skipped naptime. Before, I would go just to hit my three favorite rides (Tower of Terror, Soarin', and California Screamin') and then head back over to Disneyland. I mostly go to Disneyland for the atmosphere; California Adventure offers that now where it didn't before. I will be quite content to sip my Starbucks and eat my ice cream bar while sitting on Buena Vista Street. I would have never said that of California Adventure before.
If there was any Disney or Pixar character or movie you could add to the Disneyland Resort what would it be and why?
I mentioned to the Cast Member of the Los Feliz Five and Dime that I was disappointed to not see Alice Bluebonnet and Johnny Fedora on the shelves. It's the main place to buy Mickey Ears and the shelves have been decorated with period-appropriate men and women's hats. It seemed the perfect place and theme for them to acknowledge such a lovely, classic Disney cartoon.
MORE: Read all the other reader reviews of the expanded California Adventure.
Since the "...collision knocked out the vessel's propeller and rudder....", the whale MUST have sufferred lacerations and bleeding ,which will attract prey. Wonder if the whale will beach itself?
- chiro, USA, 16/6/2012 02:17
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